A LaSalle County resident has died after contracting West Nile virus. The Illinois Department of Public Health says the case is the state’s first West Nile-related death of 2018. The victim, who was more than 65-years-old, became ill in early August.
IDPH says 22 human West Nile cases have been reported this year. Ninety people were infected in 2017, resulting in eight deaths.
Positive West Nile virus results in humans and animals have been reported in 58 Illinois counties this year, including Peoria County.
Mosquitoes feeding on infected birds transmit the virus to humans. Residents can reduce exposure to West Nile by limiting outdoor exposure between dusk and dawn, wearing insect repellant, and eliminating or reporting stagnant water locations.
